The girl who leapt through time, Japanese (animated) movie (2006)

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about me: I never sleep in. Not even in the weekends. I’m always up early, usually at around six in the morning, and I do this because time is precious and I don’t want to lose too much of it by sleeping. (It also helps that I don’t need much sleep, so there is that). As a result that means I am never late for things either. I always arrive way too early at my work, or at appointments. I’m always amazed at people that arrive 2 minutes before they have to be somewhere. I would go completely nuts if that were me. It all would be so much easier though if there was some way we could travel through time. We would literally have all the time in the world, and things would be so much easier. Or would they? Even though it might sound like a very nice thing to be able to travel through time, and maybe even correct mistakes you might have made, it always comes with a consequence. Something that the movie I am about to review is trying to make painfully clear.

I would not recommend stepping of your bike like that. You might get hurt.

In The girl who leapt through time we meet the happy go lucky highschoolgirl Makoto Konno. She lives at home with her parents and her younger sister, and enjoys playing baseball. She is always in a rush though, racing on her bike to get to places in time, and nearly always arriving late at school. One day after class ends, while riding downhill on her bike, her brakes fail. She desperately tries to find a way to stop before hitting a railroad crossing, but fails and gets hit by an oncoming train. But then strange things start to happen. She all of a sudden finds herself back on her bike, just before the accident happens. This time events happen differently. She soon finds out she has the power to time-leap, essentially travelling back in time for short or longer distances. Makoto begins to enjoy her new found power and uses it for relatively small things such as getting perfect grades or arriving in time. Her two closest friends Chiaki and Kousuke are beginning to notice changes in her behaviour. Eventually time catches up with her, and she begins to realise that everything comes at a price. Especially since one of her friends might be in mortal danger…..

It’s scenes like this that are simply breathtaking.

I have been wanting to see this movie for a very long time. To my delight I was finally able to obtain it on this year’s animecon and I have finally found some time (pun intended) to watch it. And I can tell you this movie did not disappoint. This was a really wonderful piece of animation both in terms of story as in art. At the heart of this one is the underlying message that every action we take or might not take, has a consequence. If for instance you might fear to admit you love someone, because you might lose his or her friendship, you might rob yourself from something even more beautiful. This last theme is something that is dealt with quite heavily in this movie, but before you start to think this is a mushy romantic film: it’s not. Though there is definitely some melancholy in this movie, it’s mostly a very uplifting and upbeat story. There were quite a number of times this film presented some heartwarming moments, that managed to put a smile on my face.

Sometimes you just enter that fork in the road.

From an animation point of view this film is really something. We are talking about a movie that is more than ten years old, but the animation presented in this one is breathtaking. There are numerous shots of a beautiful landscape, that coupled with the music, just gives you the feeling you want to stay in those scene forever. The main characters are great as well. Makoto is a great and fun character, which is important as you spent almost the entire movie at her side. You really sympathise with her, and the things she is going through. Her two friends Chiaki and Kousuke are for a change not your typical macho type boys, but two men that have their hearts in the right place. As the inevitable love triangle begins, it is luckily not one of those that will make you cringe (thank God for that). There are some other minor characters that also have some influence in the story, but the movie mainly revolves around the three characters I just mentioned.

Take off your earphones when I am talking to you: that’s plain rude!

The voice acting in the film (I watched the movie in the original Japanese language in case you were wondering) is very good, except for some of the scenes where Makoto has to cry or laugh. Those are always difficult emotions to pull off, but at a brief scene near the end it spoiled the emotional moment a little bit. But this is a minor thing in what is otherwise a truly terrific and beautiful movie. The girl who leapt through time is a film that I can definitely recommend. Especially if you like movies that feature time travelling elements. Sometimes films such as those can get very complicated, but in this one it’s handled very well, without it ever becoming hard to follow. So, they say time waits for no one. In other words, what are you waiting for? Go and see this movie.

This one came in a pack together with Summer Wars (which I have yet to see). I hope you won’t bite my head off (😅😅0), but this is actually the first movie that I have seen of him. I’m playing catch up though, as I also bought wolf children so I’m mending my ways lol. Seriously though, this movie was terrific, and if they are anywhere near as good as this one, I’m in for a treat 😀

I have the same two film pack. 😀
LOL. Is never bit someone’s head of for something like that, so no worries there. Both Summer Wars and Wolf Children are very good. I also enjoyed his with on the early Digimon movies. I haven’t seen The Boy and the Beast yet, but I really want to.

This was one of the first anime movies I ever watched. I went in with no expectations or details on what the story would be about and was blown away by the whole production. Specially the art style. I think it’s a must for fans of time travel stories for sure.

Could not agree more. I was delighted to finally be able to see it, as I had heard so much great stuff about it. I had not expected that it would be this good. You are quite right about the Art style. I loved it, especially the beautiful background scenery 😀

this is one of those animes that can save the anime industry. Like, Your Name, Silver Spoon, Moribito, Graveyard of the Fireflies, etc. Those harem/ecchi animes that seem to dominate the anime industry have been giving the industry a bad rap.

So true. As I said I have been wanting to see this movie pretty much forever now, and absolutely found it a joy to watch. Your Name is finally going to appear in theatres here in November (and trust me when I say that is a rare thing for Holland, as anime movies hardly ever appear in theatres). That’s another one I am looking forward to immensely. Hopefully we will get many more of these kind of films in the future 😀

I was a paperboy for seven years and six days a week I had to be finished by 6:30 am. Even now, decades later, I still get up between 5 and 6 in the morning unless I’m sick. It put a crimp in my night life because I knew I’d always pay for it the next day, but it also meant that when a professor was popular all I’d have to do to sign up for their class was wait for them to teach an 8 o’clock.

That is great: I guess getting up early back in those days has settled you into a routine that’s hard to break😀 Yes, I have always been an early riser as well. There are more positive sides to that, than negative ones, so I really don’t mind it at all.

I wish I could be more like you. I can laze in my bed for hours on end, and mornings for me are so painful. I usually become alive when it is about four in the evening! And, what a fab review. This animation is criminally underseen, but since I am into time travel, I really enjoyed it. When you do watch Your Name, I would very much like to know your opinion on it. It is honestly the best anime I have ever seen.

Lol, I wish I could be like that sometimes, especially on mondays lol 😂😂 But no, I just like doing stuff and sleeping it away is something I just can’t do for some reason. Thanks for the kind words: appreciate them 😀I really like timetravel stories as well. There arecso many good ones out there, and this is truly one of the best that I have seen. As for Your Name, I can’t wait to see it. It really is a bit of a rarity forces anime movie to hit the theatres in Holland, so I am very glad that this is happening. I will definitely write a review for it 😀

This is a masterpiece. I don’t watch a lot of anime films because I prefer the episodic TV series format, but when I watched this film, I’m glad I did it. It’s such a great story and I agree with you that the animation os breathtaking despite its age.

I’m very glad I finally got a chance to see it. It’s a movie that I had always wanted to see, and that was for a change a film that also lived up to my expectations for it 😀I’m glad you enjoyed the movie as well 😊

I like the sound of this movie. And, applause for you for staying away from sleeping too much. I am the opposite. I love to sleep more during the weekends because weekdays I don’t seem to have enough. Yesterday I took 2 naps! hahaha.. now I know how you able to post more reviews haha..

Lol, well, I do need sleep…just not much of it haha 😂😂 And even so, I still don’t have enough time 😂😂 Yeah I know I am in the minority here, most people like sleeping 😊 As for this movie, it really is an amazing film, and one of the best animated ones that I have seen. I highly recommend it 😀

It is admirable that you have the energy and dedication to wake up every morning not wanting to lose so much time in the day to do things you need but also want to. I have found myself doing the same and having a routine does help (though so does a walnut sized time machine ). Given I can’t always do so much as of present with my health i still like to make the most of what I am able to do. Life is short but time goes by quicker.

I’m really happy that you were finally able to see this movie. I have it and seeing the bike animated picture reminded me of how extraordinary that clip was in the art style, .the use of slow motion and quick speed works so well and I like that you noted it is more than a cushy love triangle because it is truly heartfelt. It has the humour within the three characters and I love how ‘real’ Makoto expresses herself whether it be sad, clumsy, ecstatic ( that karaoke scene) or love. It moves you with her in an enjoyable way. This was a charming leap onto your post that I am glad to have read on time.

Well: I’m definitely going to be checking out more of this. The movie came packed in a box with Summer Wars and I also have Wolf Children. Both of these I look forward to seeing. I agree this one might have had a few slow moments. Overall though I quite enjoyed and thought it was a beautiful movie. Looking forward to seeing more from him 😀

Nice, I think you will have a great time 🙂 Summer Wars is his weakest movie for me but Wolf Children is my favorite film. You should also check out The Boy and the Beast (his most recent film) if you get the chance 🙂

I am an early bird too, but getting up at 5am doesn’t save me much time because I end up feeling sleepy come 10pm.

This is one of my favorite anime movies. I was going to recommend Wolf Children, from the same director, but it sounds like you already have it. Your Name is another brill anime movie that reminds me a bit of this film.

I really can’t wait to see Your Name. For one thing the movie itself sounds absolutely amazing and stunning. But another reason is that it’s actually one of the first anime films that I am going to be seeing in a big theatre which is rather unique in Holland.
I really loved this film as well. As mentioned I had been wanting to see it for quite some time now, and it certainly did not disappoint. As for getting up early: lol..I get those moments too..especially after lunch. Oh wel…nothing a good cup of coffee can’t fix 😂

Thanks so much for this very kind reply. Coming from someone who writes reviews that are so incredibly cool and professional (and yes I really mean that 😀) , I really appreciate this.
This movie is definitely a great one to watch. Terrific storyline, great animation and overall a beautiful experience. If you do manage to watch it, would be interested in hearing your thoughts for it 😊

Oh Glob, I’m the complete opposite. My bed and blankets are my favourite things. 🙂 Even though I don’t really sleep and only sleep about 4 hours (if that), I still love curling up under my blankets, like a little hedgehog and watching netflix or reading something on my tablet. Until the sunrises and I’m forcefully removed, from my blanket cave by hunger. 😦
But before you think I’m just super lazy. In my defence, I live in cold-miserable-vill, in an old house without central heating. So, my beds the only warm place in the morning, until the log fire lights up. 🙂

Back to the anime. 🙂 I’ve always wanted to watch this film, but never been able to get my paws on it.
Great review. Its made me want to watch this film even more 😀

Haha…this was such a great comment. It really made me laugh 😂 No need to defend yourself for this…I’m the one who is in the minority here. But in the other hand, I did not say that I did not spent more time in my bed, I said I just wake up early. I spent a lot of time in my bed reading novels and watching Netflix, so on that matter I am pretty much the same lol 😂😂
As for the anime, it really is terrific and an awesome watch. I hope you get to see it at some point 😊

I’ve been getting into more anime movies of recent and this particular one has been on my list for a while. It seems pretty interesting and I think I would enjoy it a lot due to my love of time travel stories.

Thank you very much. There are definitely a lot of truly amazing anime movies out there. This one, together with the amazing Grave of the Fireflies is one of the best ones I have seen to date. I hope you will enjoy it if you get a chance to see it 😀

So, you get up at 6am every weekend and still struggled to find time to watch this movie? Hmm, excuses! In all seriousness it sounds like a really fun movie to watch and I may just have to ask my anime hoarding friend if he happens to have a copy of this film to watch as I am now intrigued

Haha yeah I know…definitely seems like very lame excuses when I think of it. Well, maybe I should be getting up at 4am…maybe I won;t have to make excuses than anymore lol 😂😂
I hope you can find the movie, it really is a terrific watch that has certainly become one of my alltime favorite anime movies 😊

Oh I love time travel! And I’d been wanting to watch this one for the longest time too 🙂 I hope I’ll do it soon, since it received such high praise from you! It does sound lovely and amazing.
It’s great to hear the love triangle was not cringey or spoiled the story in the least. Too bad about the voice acting but I think it could be a case of language barrier, maybe? Japanese tend to be a lot more contained with their emotions than westerners, after all…
Another wonderful review, as expected! 😀

Well, if you love timetravel, I am sure you will love this one. It truly is an amazing film with a beautiful story and incredible Art. As for the voice acting, it is only in one or two short scenes, so luckily it doesn’t ruin the film because of that. Thanks again for these very kind words of praise. Truly appreciate them every single time 😀

Haha….Welll no, for some reason I just need very little sleep. Always been that way. But sometimes I wish I could spent a whole day sleeping though. Especially on crap days at times lol. Thank you for the kind words. This movie really is terrific, hope you will enjoy it 😊

It is a truly amazing movie this one and one that I really enjoyed to the fullest. Hope you will as well.
As for the movie you mentioned, I have heard about it, but I haven’t yet seen it. Thanks for recommending this though. Will certainly check it out. And of course thank you for your comment. Appreciate it 😊

"Consider, can the universe be justifiably called infinite? Doubtful. It may not have a discernible end, but it had a beginning and its component parts definitely have a limited cosmological shelf-life. Splitting hairs or not, if history tells us anything, it's that scientists often make very poor poets. We're all just a ship of fools chasing phantoms, heedless of what really underwrites natural law." - Okabe Rintaro